[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1182-D1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
CHESAPEAKE BAY TMDL WATERSHED IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and 
Forestry held a hearing to review the Implementation of Phase II of the 
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Watershed Implementation Plans and their impacts on 
rural communities. Testimony was heard from Shawn M. Garvin, Region 3 
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Michael Krancer, 
Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; and 
public witnesses.
INSTITUTIONALIZING IRREGULAR WARFARE CAPABILITIES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and 
Capabilities held a hearing on Institutionalizing Irregular Warfare 
Capabilities. Testimony was heard from Major General Peter Bayer, USA, 
Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, U.S. Army; Rear Admiral 
Sinclair M. Harris, USN, Director, Navy Irregular Warfare Office, U.S. 
Navy; Brigadier General Daniel O'Donohue, USMC, Director, Capabilities 
Development Directorate, U.S. Marine Corps; and Brigadier General Jerry 
P. Martinez, USAF, Director for Joint Integration, Directorate of 
Operational Capability Requirements, U.S. Air Force.
SEAPOWER AND PROJECTION FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection 
Forces; and the Subcommittee on Readiness held a joint hearing on a day 
without Seapower and Projection Forces. Testimony was heard from Vice 
Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for 
Operations, Planning and Strategy (N3/5), Lieutenant General Richard P. 
Mills, USMC, Deputy Commander for Combat Development and Integration, 
Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and Major General John W. 
Hesterman III, USAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, 
Plans, and Requirements (A3/5), U.S. Air Force.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce 
Protections held a hearing entitled ``Examining Regulatory and 
Enforcement Actions Under the Fair Labor Standards Act.'' Testimony was 
heard from Nancy J. Leppink, Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour 
Division, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a business meeting to consider a motion authorizing 
the issuance of subpoenas for certain records of the Executive Office 
of the President and the Office of the Vice President. The Chairman was 
authorized to issue subpoenas.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held 
a markup of H.R. 1633, the ``Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 
2011.'' The bill was forwarded, as amended.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets and 
Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on legislation 
regarding the ``Private Mortgage Market Investment Act.'' Testimony was 
heard from Edward J. DeMarco, Acting Director, Federal Housing Finance 
Administration; and public witnesses.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROPOSAL
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and 
Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``The Obama 
Administration's Rental Assistance Demonstration Proposal.'' Testimony 
was heard from Sandra B. Henriquez, Assistant Secretary, Public and 
Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Ismael 
Guerrero, Executive Director, Housing Authority, City and County of 
Denver; and public witnesses.
CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON CHINA
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Congressional-Executive Commission on China: 2011 Annual Report.'' 
Testimony was heard from Rep. Smith of New Jersey; Rep. Walz of 
Minnesota; and public witnesses.
AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and South 
Asia held a hearing entitled ``2014 and Beyond: U.S. Policy toward 
Afghanistan

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and Pakistan, Part I.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
TSA REFORM
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
held a hearing entitled ``TSA Reform: Exploring Innovations in 
Technology Procurement to Stimulate Job Growth, Part III.'' Testimony 
was heard from Nick Nayak, Chief Procurement Officer, Department of 
Homeland Security; Robin E. Kane, Assistant Administrator, Security 
Technology, Transportation Security Administration; Paul Benda, Chief 
of Staff, Director, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects 
Agency; Department of Homeland Security; and Charles K. Edwards, Acting 
Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security.
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Elections held a 
hearing entitled ``Federal Election Commission: Reviewing Policies, 
Processes and Procedures.'' Testimony was heard from the following 
Federal Election Commission officials: Cynthia L. Bauerly, Chair, 
Federal Election Commission; Caroline C. Hunter, Vice Chair; Donald F. 
McGahn II, Commissioner; Matthew S. Petersen, Commissioner; Steven T. 
Walther, Commissioner; and Ellen L. Weintraub, Commissioner.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a markup of the 
following: H.R. 1254, the ``Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011''; H.R. 
3010, the ``Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011''; and H.R. 2369, to 
amend title 36, United States Code, to provide for an additional power 
for the American Legion under its Federal charter. H.R. 2369 was 
ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 1254 and H.R. 3010 were both 
ordered reported, as amended.
FLORIDA EVERGLADES RESTORATION
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, 
Oceans, and Insular Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Florida 
Everglades Restoration: What are the Priorities?'' Testimony was heard 
from Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), 
Department of Defense; Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary for 
Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior; and public 
witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests 
and Public Lands held a hearing on the following: H.R. 1980, the ``Gold 
Star Mothers National Monument Act of 2011''; H.R. 2070, the ``World 
War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2011''; H.R. 2621, the ``Chimney Rock 
National Monument Establishment Act''; and H.R. 3155, the ``Northern 
Arizona Mining Continuity Act of 2011''. Testimony was heard from Sen. 
Hatch; Sen. McCain; Sen. Bennet; Rep. Franks of Arizona; Rep. Flake; 
Rep. Runyan; Rep. Johnson of Ohio; Rep. Tipton; Robert V. Abbey, 
Director, Bureau of Land Management; Department of the Interior; Mary 
Wagner, Associate Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; 
Robert V. Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the 
Interior; Mary Wagner, Associate Chief, Forest Service, Department of 
Agriculture; Buster Johnson, Supervisor, Mohave County, Arizona; Karen 
Wenrich, Research Geologist, Geological Survey, (ret.); Robert V. 
Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; 
Mary Wagner, Associate Chief, Forest Service, Department of 
Agriculture; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska 
Native Affairs held a hearing on the following: H.R. 205, the ``HEARTH 
Act of 2011''; and H.R. 2362, the ``Indian Tribal Trade and Investment 
Demonstration Project Act of 2011''. Testimony was heard from Rep. 
Cole; Rep. Heinrich; and Michael S. Black, Director, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
markup of the following: H.R. 3029, the ``Reducing the Size of the 
Federal Government Through Attrition Act of 2011''; H.R. 3262, the 
``Government Results Transparency Act''; H.R. 3237, the ``SOAR 
Technical Corrections Act''; H.R. 2297, to promote the development of 
the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia, and for other 
purposes; H.R. 3289, the ``Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 
2011''; H.R. 298, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, 
as the ``Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building''; 
H.R. 2079, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 10 Main Street in East Rockaway, New York, as the 
``John J. Cook Post Office''; H.R. 2158, to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La 
Mirada, California, as the ``Wayne Grisham Post Office''; H.R. 2415, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the ``Trooper Joshua D. 
Miller Post Office Building''; H.R. 2422, to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service

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located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the 
``Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office''; H.R. 2660, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 North 
Holderrieth Boulevard in Tomball, Texas, as the ``Tomball Veterans Post 
Office''; H.R. 2767, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 8 West Silver Street in Westfield, 
Massachusetts, as the ``William T. Trant Post Office Building''; H.R. 
3004, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 260 California Drive in Yountville, California, as the 
``Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building''; H.R. 
3220, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the 
``Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office''; H.R. 3246, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter 
J. Navarro Post Office Building''; H.R. 3247, to designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country 
Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. 
Pathenos Post Office Building''; H.R. 3248, to designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in 
Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post 
Office Building''; and S. 1412, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, 
Massachusetts, as the ``Officer John Maguire Post Office'' The 
following were ordered reported, without amendment: H.R. 3289; H.R. 
298; H.R. 2079; H.R. 2158; H.R. 2415; H.R. 2422; H.R. 2660; H.R. 2767; 
H.R. 3004; H.R. 3220; H.R. 3246; H.R. 3247; H.R. 3248; and S. 1412. The 
following were ordered reported, as amended: H.R. 3029; H.R. 3289; H.R. 
3237; and H.R. 2297.
COAST GUARD AND MARINE TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2011
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2838, the 
``Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Act of 2011.'' The Committee 
granted, by record vote of 8 to 4, a structured rule providing one hour 
of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and 
ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order as original text for 
purpose of amendment the Rules Committee Print of H.R. 2838 dated 
October 28, 2011 and provides that the print shall be considered as 
read. The rule waives all points of order against the Rules Committee 
Print. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the 
Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. Each such amendment 
may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered 
only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, 
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided 
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject 
to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the 
question. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments 
printed in the report.
  The rule provides that the Chairman of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure or his designee may offer amendments 
en bloc consisting of amendments printed in the Rules Committee report 
not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be considered as 
read, shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled 
by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure or their designee, shall not be 
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division 
of the question. The original proponent of an amendment included in 
such amendments may insert a statement in the Congressional Record 
immediately before the disposition of the amendments en bloc. The rule 
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, 
the rule provides that it shall be in order at any time on the 
legislative day of November 4, 2011, for the Speaker to entertain 
motions that the House suspend the rules relating to a measure 
addressing the applicability of the coastwise trade laws.
  Testimony was heard from Rep. LoBiondo; Rep. Larsen of Washington; 
Rep. Bishop of New York; Rep. Napolitano; Rep. Richardson; Rep. 
Palazzo; Rep. Thompson of Mississippi; and Rep. Baldwin.
STEM IN ACTION
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Research 
and Science Education held a hearing entitled ``STEM In Action: 
Transferring Knowledge from the Workplace to the Classroom.'' Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
PRO-GROWTH TAX POLICY
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and 
Capital Access held a hearing entitled ``Pro-Growth Tax Policy: Why 
Small Businesses Need Individual Tax Reform.'' Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.

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Joint Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT
Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House 
passed versions of H.R. 2112, making appropriations for Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, but did not 
complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call.